The same rule applies, naturally, to any other area in which toxic products accumulate. Conduct a careful house search, cleaning out drawers, broom closets, hobby areas, and medicine chests. It is amazing how much dangerous junk piles up in a house over the years, silently polluting the environment. One should be careful, however, not to allow any of these items to spill as they are being disposed of, or this may precipitate an acute attack of symptoms in susceptible people.

The human nose is an extraordinary instrument. Ecology patients tend to be either acutely sensitive to smells, or, conversely, lacking in the sense of smell altogether (in advanced cases). If you have a good-to-excellent sense of smell, you can identify noxious smells in the house by going out for a brisk walk in an area with fairly clean air and then returning to your house to perform a quick “sniff” test. If something has an offensive odor, get rid of it. Do not wait a day, or even a minute, since the nose will quickly adapt to the ill-smelling item. After being exposed for a short while, one can no longer fully smell the offending odor. Many patients report a cleaner feeling in the air after they have rid their homes of these hidden pollutants.

Several engineers and otherwise qualified experts now make “house calls” to inspect the homes of patients for chemical contaminants. They bring not only their expertise, but exceptional ability in “sniffing out” danger spots for patients, based on their own chemical-susceptibility problems. (The organizations listed in Appendix C can provide names of such experts.)

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In the next section we will consider the scientific evidence, but as we do so the importance of prejudice will again become evident. Even in the most scientific studies of this subject, it seems that the beliefs of the experimenters can influence the outcome. In general, those who ‘believe’ in food intolerance tend to get positive results, while the disbelievers usually get negative results. The conclusions you draw from this will, of course, be influenced by what you believe! But, as we hope to show, there are simple explanations for these apparently contradictory findings.

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Rice is a good substitute for pasta, or you can buy noodles of rice and buckwheat. Use oatcakes, ricecakes and rye crispbreads as another substitute for bread or for savoury biscuits, but check that crispbreads are pure rye – some contain wheat or malt (Ryvita Original is one brand of pure rye crispbread). Other useful grains, which are not related to wheat or the other grasses, are buckwheat, sago, tapioca, quinoa. Breads can also be made with potato, chestnuts, soya and gram (chickpea) flours.

As a substitute for baking powders, which usually contain wheat, use sodium bicarbonate or cream of tartar (made from grapes).

If you are sensitive to gluten, look for the gluten-free sign on foods. Many health food shops have extensive choices. If you are sensitive to eggs, some people react to egg white and not to egg yolk and vice versa. Test them separately to see if you can tolerate one or the other. A number of firms sell egg substitutes for baking, as well as sugars, chocolate substitutes and bakery mixes – for cakes, breads and biscuits – excluding foods commonly causing reactions. Wonderful for children’s birthdays.

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People with chemical sensitivity commonly do not tolerate alcohol well; sometimes they have an addictive relationship with it – not alcoholism, but a craving or desire for a drink at regular intervals. They also often display unexplained mood swings, or tempers; these can often be linked to sudden exposures to chemicals when entering a vaporous environment such as a hospital, a chemist’s shop or a petrol station, or using a toiletry or cleaning product. People who live with someone who is chemically sensitive say they can often identify a chemical trigger by a sudden change in the person’s mood or behaviour. Such unexplained irritability is a prime indicator of chemical sensitivity.

It is not wise to do these using strong chemicals, such as building and decorating materials, strong cleaning products, or any other chemical that you would not usually use directly on yourself, or wear. Many such chemicals will cause irritation even to people who are not chemically sensitive if inhaled or applied directly to the skin. Use the Sniff Test for polishes, mild cleaners, mild chemicals, fabrics, paper, fibres or toiletries and cosmetics. Use the Patch Test only for any chemical you would normally use on your skin.

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If you bleach your hair, ammonium persulphate is added to hydrogen peroxide to speed up the process. Ammonium persulphate is highly irritant and has been reported to cause immediate reactions such as facial swelling, asthma and hives. Irritant eczema can also result if the solution is left on too long.

Permanent wave solutions are known to cause reactions, but the cause is most usually the perfume used to disguise the unpleasant smell of the ingredients. The ingredients of the waving solution and neutralisers themselves can sometimes irritate and cause allergy. Alkaline solutions (for home and salon use, with ammonium thioglyco-late as the waving solution) are reported to cause reactions less often than acid solutions (using glyceryl thioglycolate – salon use only) or sulfite wave (using sodium sulfite – home use only).

Lanolin is a natural fatty substance obtained from the fleece of sheep. It is a complex material, the chemical composition of which varies greatly in purity; and the reaction of people with allergy or sensitivity varies correspondingly to different brands or preparations. It is commonly found in cosmetic products such as cleansers, ointments, hand creams, soaps, lipsticks and hair products. People sensitive to lanolin can sometimes tolerate one lanolin preparation but not another. Some cosmetic brands and moisturisers are either lanolin-free or use new purified lanolin which is often better tolerated. To avoid problems, use hypoallergenic brands, try different brands to find one that suits, and write to the manufacturer if necessary to find lanolin-free products in their range.

Other ingredients known to cause sensitivity and allergy include resins in nail polishes, some dyes used in blushers and lipsticks, and propylene glycol which acts as a solvent and preservative, and keeps products moist. It is also an ingredient in lubricating jelly.

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The main ingredient of the damp-proofing liquid is silicone, which does not cause sensitivity. This is held, however, in an organic solvent and with a catalyst which continues to work throughout the life of the building. Damp-proofing firms can provide a solvent with a catalyst which contains acetic acid (vinegar) and acetate of glycerol, which are much less aggressive than other chemicals. Ask for these if you are installing or replacing a damp proof course.

Bitumen is often used as a solid damp-proofing layer when new floors are laid, or as part of a sealing layer in brick walls or masonry. The fumes from this can cause sensitivity when it is being laid, but once dry and aired, it does not give off persistent fumes and does not cause problems in this use.

Plastic sheeting is often laid under floors or as a sealing layer between courses of bricks or masonry. The plastic sheeting usually airs off fast, and is also well sealed by flooring or plaster. It does not therefore cause sensitivity.

Other damp-proof treatments are barrier chemical treatments, which involve placing a sealed plastic or rubbery membrane between the damp site, usually a wall or floor, and the inner surface. These are best avoided, because isocyanates, which are known to cause symptoms on use, are used in liquid rubber preparations.

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Some people with allergies and sensitivity find that their symptoms do improve by taking care to avoid absorbing metals. Specific measures which help include using filtered water and using ceramic cookware. In extreme cases, replacement of amalgam dental fillings (which contain mercury) with fillings of other material can help.

If you react to metal radiators, heaters, furniture, lampshades or light fittings, it is more likely that you are sensitive to fumes from the paint or enamel used on the surface, than to the metal itself.

Cookers and grills can give off fumes when used but these are usually from chemicals applied to metal surfaces, or special linings, rather than from metal itself.

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